Euthanasia is a though that ponders in the mind of many everyday. Is it right, is it wrong, who can decide the value of a person's life?

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

EUTHANASIA ESSAY

By Mike Shakra

Euthanasia is a though that ponders in the mind of many everyday. Is it right, is it wrong, who can decide the value of a person’s life? Euthanasia is an option that many sick and dying people consider everyday. Euthanasia can be a sick person’s only escape from a life of torment and suffering where they are waiting to die. People also choose Euthanasia as a means to ending their life because they feel that can no longer live their lives the way the want to. Finally, people use Euthanasia to end their lives because they feel that only machines and medication are keeping them alive and that they have truly died inside. A careful and close analysis of this topic and a review of some quotes taken from a major motion picture on this subject will show that Euthanasia should be legalized, and implemented in our palliative care system today.

The word Euthanasia can be a taboo in the medical care system today. Many medical practitioners dismiss euthanasia as an option to treatment and it is illegal in all 12 Canadian provinces. Euthanasia, however, can be a sick and dying person’s only escape from a life of prolonged suffering and pain. Many sick and dying people are would rather put an end to their suffering than spend out their last days in torment. In the motion picture, Who’s Life Is It Anyways, a quadriplegic states “There is no blood, no screaming, so you can’t see the pain”. This quote exemplifies the fact that many people who are being kept alive suffer not only physically, but emotionally as well. People choose euthanasia because it allows them to free themselves of the unnecessary pain that they must endure. They welcome the thought of death because it frees them of their distress and is a much better alternative to a life of artificial existence and extreme suffering.

Password

Confirm Password

I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy

This is a preview of the whole essay

After a sever accident or a bout with a terminal illness, some argue that their quality of life is just never the same again. After an accident some might never be able to work again. Others might be dependant on supervision and care for the rest of their lives and feel that they are just a burden to their families and society. In the motion picture, Who’s Life Is It Anyways, a quadriplegic states “Life for me is over, I can’t do the things I want to do; life for me might as well be over.” This Attitude is held true by many in the same position. Many quadraplegic feel that their body was everything to them and that they are now trapped within it. Their bodies played important roles in their lives, carrers and social settings. Without the use of their bodies they emotionally cease to exist. People who are being kept alive by machines also lose quality of life. People who are under constant supervision or are kept alive by artificial means often feel that they are a burden to society and place unwanted stress on their families. They come to the realization that they are no longer productive members of society and wish end their lives gracefully and still keep their dignity while they have it. People in this position feel that they have nothing to live for, nothing to hope for, and nothing to fulfill the void left in their soul.

It is common feeling that people that are being kept alive by artificial means are truly dead inside. Now, people may have the right to be kept alive by machines, but people should also be able to have the right to die if they are only being kept alive by technology and modern medicine. Many cancer patients, who are terminally ill, are fed with morphine to ease their pain as they wither away. Theses patient should have the right to choose Euthanasia as an option to being fed morphine to ease the pain. Euthanasia would end tremendous suffering for many who are on their death beds and choose to end their lives. The quote, “How much does it cost to keep him alive?” is from the motion picture Who’s Life Is It Anyways? It also brings up the issue of why should we spend money on people who are going and want to die when there are many people who are in serious need of hospital care? We should consider this as well in the Euthanasia debate as it too holds strong evidence in why we should legalize it.

The debate on Euthanasia has been ongoing and as is a very sticky subject to deal with. Many people have proved their cases on why it should be legalized yet it still continues to be morally questioned on a daily basis. There has been a recent outcry by people who are sick and dying as they find Euthanasia as their only option. Whether it is a bout with a terminal illness or an unfortunate accident that has caused paralysis, Euthanasia can end the unnecessary suffering of many and allow people to die with dignity. After a sever and tragic accident many have also lost the quality of life they once enjoyed and would like to end their lives peacefully. Euthanasia can provide all this to people in pain and suffering and the facts show this to be true. With all the evidence given, and the testimonials of many, it is painfully obvious that Euthanasia should be a viable option for those who can no longer live with dignity.